Understanding FIRPTA: Tax pitfalls of foreign investment in US real estate

International Tax Review is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Garden, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Cookies Settings

Understanding FIRPTA: Tax pitfalls of foreign investment in US real estate

June 17 2013
real-estate.jpg

The US Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) was established in 1980 for the purpose of withholding the estimated amount of taxes which may be due on the gain of the disposition of a US real property interest from foreign persons. Daniel Gross, CEO of Axis International Realty, explores the intricacies of the provision.

Unlock this content.

The content you are trying to view is exclusive to our subscribers.

To unlock this content:

Take a Free Trial or Login

Topics

NewsUnited StatesDirect TaxNorth America Jurisdictions
more across site & shared bottom lb ros

More from across our site

Direct Tax
luxembourg-1164656.jpg
Luxembourg investment carve-out brings clarity to the market, advisers say
Using tax to enhance its standing as a funds location is behind Luxembourg’s measures aimed at clarifying ATAD 2 and making its carried interest regime more attractive
Ralph Cunningham, October 13 2025
Direct Tax
Fair tax
A taxing week: Why tax isn’t boring
Encompassing everything from international scandals to seismic political events, it’s a privilege to cover the intriguing world of tax
Sam Sholli, October 10 2025
Direct Tax
Internal Revenue Serice Sign
This week in tax: Frank Bisignano announced as inaugural IRS CEO
In his newly created role, current SSA commissioner Bisignano will oversee all day-to-day IRS operations; in other news, Ryan has made its second acquisition in two weeks
Sam Sholli, October 10 2025
Indirect Tax
jakarta-indonesia 600 x 375
Taxing the borderless: Indonesia’s new playbook for foreign digital VAT
In the age of borderless commerce, money flows faster than regulation. While digital platforms cross oceans in milliseconds, tax authorities often lag. Indonesia has decided it can wait no longer
Gitarani Prastuti , October 09 2025
Transfer Pricing
ITR 2025
‘No way around it’: TP expert slams Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs
The tariffs are disrupting global supply chains and creating a lot of uncertainty, tax expert Miguel Medeiros told ITR’s European Transfer Pricing Forum
Sam Sholli, October 09 2025
Indirect Tax
nitin argawal resized.jpg
ITR Award Winner Series: Nitin Agarwal, Majid Al Futtaim
Corporate counsel should combine deep technical knowledge with strategic dynamism, says Agarwal, winner of ITR’s EMEA In-house Indirect Tax Leader of the Year award
October 08 2025
Direct Tax
Luxembourg tax
Luxembourg’s tax policy 2025: delivering the coalition’s mandate for competitiveness
Luxembourg’s reform agenda continues at pace in 2025, with targeted measures for start-ups and alternative investment funds
Jean-Dominique Morelli , October 07 2025
Direct Tax
Stuttgart, Germany - 06-19-2022: Cellphone with logo of American consulting company Alvarez and Marsal LLC on screen in front of website. Focus on center-right of phone display.
A&M Tax hires five ex-EY partners for new corporate practice
Veteran Elizabeth Arrendale will lead the new advisory practice, which will support clients with M&A tax structuring, post-deal integration, and more
Tom Baker, October 06 2025
Direct Tax
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-02 at 09.39.44 (1).jpeg
OECD victim of own success with MAPs: tax certainty co-head
MAP cases keep increasing, and cases closed aren’t keeping pace with the number started, the OECD’s Sriram Govind also told an ITR summit
Sam Sholli, October 06 2025
Direct Tax
ITR awards EMEA 2025
A taxing week: In defence of directories
Nobody likes paperwork or paying money, but the assertion that legal accreditation doesn’t offer value to firms and clients alike is false
Tom Baker, October 03 2025
Gift this article